Grizzlies set for challenge in Houston
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - Two of the NBA's very best take center stage Wednesday night when the Memphis Grizzlies invade the Toyota Center to take on the Houston Rockets.
The Grizz are tied with the Golden State Warriors for the most wins in the NBA with 15. Houston is not far behind with its 13 and these two squads rank No. 1 and 2 in opponents' scoring.
Memphis has won five in a row and will go for a perfect 4-0 road trip with a victory on Wednesday. During the trek, the Grizzlies knocked off the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Sunday, the lethal big-man combo of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol took advantage of DeMarcus Cousins' absence and led the Grizzlies to a 97-85 victory over the Kings.
Randolph totaled 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Gasol scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter for the NBA-best Grizzlies, who have won five straight and nine of their last 10 overall.
Tony Allen chipped in 13 points, while Courtney Lee and Mike Conley added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the victors.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Grizzlies led by 21 on Sunday, but the Kings made it a three-point game in the fourth quarter. Gasol scored three straight times down the floor to give the Grizzlies some breathing room. He made two free throws, rattled in a hook shot and hit a 20-footer that yielded an 85-76 cushion with under five minutes to play.
"He's a clutch performer," Conley said of Gasol. "He knows when to get his offense going when we need him to. Tonight was one of those nights."
The Grizzlies return home on Friday with a date against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. They'll also welcome the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets to FedExForum, where they are the only undefeated home team at 8-0.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Rockets have been off since a 117-103 road win on Saturday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
James Harden scored 34 points to go along with eight assists and six rebounds. Donatas Motiejunas netted 20 points, Jason Terry had 18 and Trevor Ariza chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who have won four of their last five.
"We had some pretty good ball movement," said Rockets coach Kevin McHale. "We had a lot of different guys get some assists and we had a lot of good looks."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}All-Star center Dwight Howard has missed the last six games with a knee injury. He is doubtful against Memphis, but did make it through Tuesday's practice pain-free.
"I don't think it is smart for me to try to rush anything," Howard said. "When I'm 100 percent or close to it, that's when I'll play."
The Grizzlies triumphed over the Rockets in Memphis on Nov. 17. They have now won three straight in this series and two of three in Houston, although those two recent victories are the only ones in their last 16 trips to the Toyota Center.